B3200 Owners Question.

[PSDStu]

As I discussed in an earlier thread my new B3200 has a vibration issue. At idle the vibrations are slight, but as you increase throttle the vibration level increases.

The vibration can be seen and felt in the deck, steering wheel, seat, clutch pedal, hst pedal, brake pedals, and even the ROP's.

My dealers service manager and owner have both looked at the tractor. Both agree that the tractor vibrates. The service manager says that the B3200 is built just like the B7800 and because of it's 32hp, 4 cylinder engine, and the fact that the engine is not as balanced or dampered as say the Grand L, 4cy engines that the tractor will vibrate. Another words....Normal..... this maybe true, but Normal isn't the same as correct to me.

The owner has spoken with the area Kubota rep and the rep said that he is not aware of any vibration issues with the B3200. The rep is going to look at a B3200 today and is supposed to get back with my dealer.

I am wondering if any of the other B3200 owners here are having ANY sort of vibration issues with there tractors? I am not talking about violent vibrations, but enough vibration that you can clearly see the vibration in the pedals, and feel the vibration, especially above 2000 rpms?

I love the tractor and hopefully I can get my dealer to replace mine with one that doesen't vibrate.

This is my 4th Kubota tractor, and I have logged over 3000 hours on my 4 Kubota's so it's not like I am unfamiler with how a tractor is supposed to operate.

Not sure how all this will play-out, but I would advise anyone looking at a B3200 to run up the RPM's at the dealer before you bring it home... so you are aware of what you are purchasing.

Stu

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I haven't noticed this issue but will run mine and check it. Like the abrupt reverse issue in the BX2350 first time Kubota owners don't know there is a problem since they have no other experience with another Kubota. I know from 8 Kubotas that it's not right but it's not a send back issue and I'm getting better adjusted to feathering it with my foot and actually not to bad now. It's that forget and let off on pedal to fast that reminds me. Also it seems to be in all the 50's and Kubota changed it in the 60's series which acknowledges there is an issue. Looks like you have enough hours with Kubotas to recognize that it's different than your others have been. Have you tried another one at a dealers to see if it has the vibration that you describe?

 

[red4now]

Hi there PSDStu,

Just took delivery of my B3200 last Thu and I am experiencing the same thing - especially in the steering wheel. In fact, after cutting grass for over an hour at PTO rpm, my hand had a tingling sensation for a while after finishing. This is not normal as you suggest. Going back to the dealer this week for some other topic but will discuss this with them. Mind you this is the first B3200 that they have prepped and sold so this is the limit of their experience with them until they get the other two they have on order for later in June / Jul. Be interesting to see if other owners are experiencing the same situation. Will keep you posted as to what the dealer comes up with.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Ran mine today for a few minutes as I told you I would to see if I noticed any unusual vibration. It idles at 1000 rpm cold and probably vibrates a bit more there than when I ran it up to the 2000 rpm. I only moved it out of my building and then after testing moved it back in but I tried all of the pedals and did not feel any "unusual" vibration. Only have about 9 hours on it. Does yours do it hot or cold? Does it do it more rolling than just sitting still?

 

[PSDStu]

Thanks John and Red for your replies.

My B3200 is the only one my dealer had on his lot and the first one they have sold so this issue is new to them. The service manager was content to say that this vibration is normal....... I am not so quick to buy into that and so I have pushed the issue with them.

Because this is my 4th Kubota tractor that I have purchased from them they understand that I kinda know when I think someone is trying to blow smoke.....

The vibrations are tolerable up until you get to between 2400 and 2600 rpms at which time there is NO way you can keep your foot on the FWD HST pedal for any length of time. Becuase most of the work I do with this tractor is either mowing or bushogging being able to run comfortably at 2600 rpms for 540 at the pto is important to me.

I am not sure what I will hear from the area rep this week when I meet them, but I am going to press to see if I can get a swap unit from them and hope for the best.

Going down to a B2920 or up to a B3400 will present another new set of issues with attachments and I really like the B3200 size and especially the live PTO, which I am used to from my B7510.

Because John has not mentioned any problems with any vibration at 2400-2600 rpms I am encouraged that there are B3200's out there that will meet my expectations of Kubota quality.

There is NO WAY that this tractor could have passed a QA inspection with the vibrations I am seeing between 2400-and 2600 rpms.

I would encourage anyone looking at this model to test it at the dealer before deciding on your purchase.

Stu

 

[ChuckinNH]

Well, I hate to be a naysayer, but vibration from the 4 cylinder engine in the B sized tractors is pretty common. If the dealer has a B3030, or B7800 you might just feel the same thing. I've driven a bunch of B7800's, and fewer B3030's, but I found that more had vibration than not, though I will say that some were a bit more pronounced than others, and you probably have one of them. Some folks, (many) just accept that, and others find it objectionable. I guess it does point out that we should run what ever we are testing at pto rpm, and if possible use the 3 pt hitch to actually lift something. It is a big investment. I'm following this with interest, and my gut feeling is that if your dealer lets you swap that out for one you are happy with, you have a darned good dealer. BTW, the PTO on the B2x20 series is the same as the B3200 as far as I know.

 

[nra4ever]

I only have 2 hrs on my 3200. Today was really the first day I was able to use it some. I read your post and made sure to pay attention to any vibration above 2000 rpms. I have to say that I really did not notice any vibration out of the normal. I looked at the pedals on mine and they do not vibrate. I just got my 3200 after returning a 2920 which did run very smoothly. I ran mine mostly at 2200 rpm which was plenty for what I was doing today. I would suggest you go to your dealer and try another 3200. If it is smoother then ask to trade or have yours picked up for a side by side comparison with the area rep there to see it for him self. Good luck and let us know what happens.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Ran my B3200 for a few hours today and was paying close attention to vibration. Still feel no unusual vibration at 2000 rpm on mine while running it for a few hours moving rocks and knocking a tree down. It actually runs it's smoothest at 2000. I'm not saying it runs like a car and there is some slight vibration which increases some while increasing rpm's up to the 2300 at the orange mark on tach but I don't think an unusual amount from my experience. Interesting that some one stated 4 cyls vibrate more and I have always heard and experienced the more the cyls the smoother the run.

 

[dodge man]

It seems like there was a post on this a couple of months back, and as I recall it was a post that had alot of replies. It seemed like at that time it was the 4 cyl engines that were the problems, and some were worse than others. Here is the past posts on this issue. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...32870-excessive-vibration-makes-my-b3030.html

 

[johnk]

I remember reading posts a whiole back where the 3030 had vibrations also coming from the 4 cylinders....

 

[PSDStu]

Ran my B3200 for a few hours today and was paying close attention to vibration. Still feel no unusual vibration at 2000 rpm on mine while running it for a few hours moving rocks and knocking a tree down. It actually runs it's smoothest at 2000. I'm not saying it runs like a car and there is some slight vibration which increases some while increasing rpm's up to the 2300 at the orange mark on tach but I don't think an unusual amount from my experience. Interesting that some one stated 4 cyls vibrate more and I have always heard and experienced the more the cyls the smoother the run.

Try running it at 2600 rpm and use the fwd HST pedal for awhile. If there is any unusual vibration you will be able feel it in the seat as well as in your foot on the hst pedal.

I spent about an hour today with the Kubota rep, my dealers service manager and the owner. The Kubota rep ran the tractor and at first didn't notice any unusual vibrations. I then said to remove the loader and see what happens.... at 2600 rpm he said he now knew what I was talking about, and he could feel the higher vibrations. He then checked all under and over the tractor and was on the phone with someone else at Kubota talking.

The rep agreed that the vibrations I have at 2600 are unusual but didn't think they were going to cause any damage to the tractor. Basically the pedals at 2600 rpm are acting like a tuning fork. He said that Kubota is going to study the problem and see if they can come up with some sort of damper for the pedals, or to damper/isolate the engine from the frame.

I would ask all of you who own a B3200 to carefully evaluate your vibration levels at 2600 rpms, and if possible do it with the loader removed. If the vibrations are unusual or causing you a problem please let your dealer know and ask them to report this to Kubota so it can be tracked.

The Kubota rep I meet with was very interested in my problem and I belive he has full knowledge now of what is wrong..... at least with my tractor. I also understand that any fix to this issue would have to come from, or be approved by the headquarters folks in Japan...... I'm not holding my breath for any quick resolution......but perhaps the ball is rolling...........or then again, perhaps it will be ignored.

Again, this may not be a problem with each and every B3200 tractor, but if you do have this vibration I ask that you advise your dealer and make them aware of the problem.

Stu

 

[nra4ever]

I am glad to hear that the kubota rep took a real interest in your problem. I have to admit I have not had mine much past pto speed and I have the loader and back hoe both on. I will probably take the loader and back hoe off in the next few weeks to see if mine has the vibration at 2600 with no attatchments. I hope the rep was serious and not just making it look good while you were there. I guess time will tell. please keep us informed and what the solution is to the problem.

Did you by chance ask for a 3200 with less vibration and if so what was the reply?

 

[red4now]

Hi Again PSDStu,

Talked to my dealer end of last week and he is going to contact the main office and talk to the head tech there to see if any other similar problems have been reported. Of course that person is on vacation this week. ;-)

Put a few more hours on over the last week and it seems to vary according to certain "sweet spots". My main vibration comes through the steering wheel as I mentioned before. I do not get the deck vibes that you talked about and I have found that I only get the HST pedal vibes at certain RPM and also it is more pronounced when I am using the MMM so this week I cut grass at different RPM levels and have located a couple of "sweet spots" around 2100 RPM or so where the vibes are "better".

Will let you know what the dealer comes back with...hopefully they will take an interest as well especially since this is the second Kubota we have purchased from them within 6 months - M7040 and now this B3200.

 

[PSDStu]

Hi Again PSDStu,

Talked to my dealer end of last week and he is going to contact the main office and talk to the head tech there to see if any other similar problems have been reported. Of course that person is on vacation this week. ;-)

Put a few more hours on over the last week and it seems to vary according to certain "sweet spots". My main vibration comes through the steering wheel as I mentioned before. I do not get the deck vibes that you talked about and I have found that I only get the HST pedal vibes at certain RPM and also it is more pronounced when I am using the MMM so this week I cut grass at different RPM levels and have located a couple of "sweet spots" around 2100 RPM or so where the vibes are "better".

Will let you know what the dealer comes back with...hopefully they will take an interest as well especially since this is the second Kubota we have purchased from them within 6 months - M7040 and now this B3200.

Red,

Your right about finding the sweetspots. I also found that I can feel the vibrations on the hst pedal more if I bushog, or run the rfm with the loader removed. I prefer to bushog and run the rfm that way, but it does vibrate less with the loader installed.

Will be intrested in how things are handled for you north of the border!

Keep us posted, and I know you love your M7040, as much as I love my M5040!

Stu

 

[red4now]

Hi PSDStu,

Yes the M7040 does the job quite nicely. It is busy everyday doing loader work which is what we bought it for. Handles those large square bales very well. Looks like you didn't need a FEL on your M?

WRT the B3200 vibration issue, had a call from the dealer and he mentioned that the head tech at the main office had heard of this problem (through other reports and also TBN) and that they are looking into it and will see what can be done about it - sounds promising! Lets see what happens.

 

[PSDStu]

Hi PSDStu,

Yes the M7040 does the job quite nicely. It is busy everyday doing loader work which is what we bought it for. Handles those large square bales very well. Looks like you didn't need a FEL on your M?

WRT the B3200 vibration issue, had a call from the dealer and he mentioned that the head tech at the main office had heard of this problem (through other reports and also TBN) and that they are looking into it and will see what can be done about it - sounds promising! Lets see what happens.

My M5040 is used for bushogging and mowing around 65 acres and my B3200 does the loader work when needed. I may get a loader for the M5040 oneday.

Sounds good!

 

[NIdaho]

I am still at under 10 hours on my B3200 but I have none of the vibration issues that you have described. Last Saturday I spent at least an hour and a half using the tiller on the 3point (RPMs up to the PTS speed) and using low range on the HST. I never noticed any vibrations thru the pedal into my foot or from the steering wheel. In fact, I was thinking how smooth this new tractor is over my old B7100 (3 cylinder).

 

[Crash101]

Interesting that some one stated 4 cyls vibrate more and I have always heard and experienced the more the cyls the smoother the run.

A 4 cylinder inline configuration is the worst offender for vibration. 2 pistons up and 2 pistons down (720 degree 4 stroke cycle divided by 4 = 180 degrees). A three cylinder will be be less vibration because when 1 piston is at 12:00, the crankshaft journal for next will be at 4:00 and the other at 8:00, thus providing a somewhat smoother cycle. Although this cycle is 240 degrees apart it's not 2 up 2 down like a 4 cyl.

 

[mtrain]

I've seen this over the years on the B2910, B7800, B3030, and now the B3200. These are all 4 cyl. engines and they will vibrate more.

 

[Chris86314]

I've seen this over the years on the B2910, B7800, B3030, and now the B3200. These are all 4 cyl. engines and they will vibrate more.

If any of you have owned Harley's before (2000 I believe) when they rubber mounted the Road Kings and cruisers and balanced the Fat Boys you know how bad the vibrations can be.. You couldn't stop shaking when you got off after riding a while, almost couldn't stand.. and your hands were usually totally numb. The balanced engines on the Fat Boy still had vibrations in the balanced motors until you got the RPM's up and then they smoothed out. I know we are talking two totally different type of engines but the vibrations were a killer (the women loved it though, LOL).

If the Kubota's aren't mounted correctly or balanced you're going to get vibrations and at different RPM's depending on the attachments you are using.

I haven't noticed much vibration on my B3200, at least nothing out of the ordinary, but I am only running the TLB or Box Blade and not at very high RPM's.